LONDON, November 12. /TASS/. The United Kingdom is considering reviving nuclear fuel production for defense purposes, the UK Defence Journal reports, citing British Defense Secretary John Healey.

According to him, "the UK is exploring options to re-establish a nuclear-fuel cycle for reactor fuel for defense purposes." Healey noted that the British government "is committed to modernizing defense nuclear-fuel production." "We are commencing engagement with industry to develop options for how this requirement can be delivered," he added.

Healey also reaffirmed London’s commitment to its voluntary moratorium on the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. "This fuel production cycle will be fully consistent with the UK’s international obligations, including the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)," the British defense secretary emphasized.

According to earlier reports, the British authorities plan to invest 196 mln pounds (almost $245 mln) in the construction of Europe’s second High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) facility (after Russia). The facility in Capenhurst, Cheshire, is expected to be put into operation in 2031.

In June 2022, leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries in a joint statement announced plans to reduce dependency on Russian civilian nuclear technologies and related products. In particular, they agreed to work to assist countries seeking to diversify their nuclear fuel supply chains.